Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17964, John Frazer, Va.

SERVICE
Wa-
Frazer, John or Frazier
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 17964
carded
CONTENTS

La 6 D. H. Stockton Aug 28 '45
Virginia 23.769
John Grazier Rockbridge in the State of Va was a Pvt in the commandea Captain of the Sgt- commandea Col: Payne in the Co for 6 months.
Date of death not on A B
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Sept 30, and sent Saml. M. D. Reid. Lexington C.H. Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 60 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 10 70
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nath. Price Book E Vol. 6, Page 15

John Frazer
21997

Virginia
At Rockbridge County court November 6 th 1832
The declaration of John Frazier together with the certificates of Joseph Bell and Ronix Dodge of which the foregoing are true copies were produced in court and severally sworn to and subscribed in open court — And the said court declared their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states — And the court further certified that it appeared to them that Joseph Bell and Ronix Dodge who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in this county & are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit
In testimony whereof Samuel D Reid Clerk of said county court, have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said county this 15 th Day of November 1832 and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
Samuel D Reid

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County to wit;
On this 6 th day of November 1832
Personally appeared before the justices of the County Court of Rockbridge, in open Court, John Frazier of the County & State aforesaid aged seventy seven years the 15 th day of February last; who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832.
That he was drafted in the year 1774 & served a tour of three months against the Indians on the waters of Greenbrier River, in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. George Matthews, from the County of Augusta, George Gibson Lieutenant, and W m Robinson Ensign. That he was born near Christians Creek in the County of Augusta, State aforesaid, and at the time of entering into the service he resided in Augusta, That he was in no engagement. That he received a discharge from the Captain, but has lost it.
He further states that he was again drafted on the 10 th day of January 17. & served a tour of three months in the Militia service in a Company commanded by Capt. Buchanan, which was attached to the regiment commanded by Col John Bowyer. That he was marched from the County of Rockbridge to Portsmouth, against the British, That during this tour he was in several skirmishes, but no general engagement; He recollects of having been in one skirmish, in which Sergeant Hodge was killed - a man who had been useful to the Army as a pilot, & in which a Lieutenant whose name is not recollected was wounded - He further states that Joseph Bell Ronix Hodge, can certify to his services, during this tour,

year he was again drafted & served a tour of three months against the Indians, in a company of Militia Com. commanded by Captain M'Goy, Lieutenant James Elliott & Ensign Joseph Gwin. That he, marched from the County of Rockbridge to West fort on the waters of the western Branch of Shenandoah, where he was stationed during this tour, in the greater part thereof.
That he was again in the year drafted & served a tour of three months, against the Indians, who were then committing Hostilities upon the people residing on the Greenbrier River. That he was under the Command of Lieutenant Campbell. That he was marched from the County of Rockbridge to Closed lick on the Greenbrier River & was stationed there during this term of service.
He relinquishes all claim to any pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not upon the pension roll or Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court.
John Frazier
We Joseph Bell & Dennis Hodge of the County of Rockbridge & State of Virginia, do hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with John Frazier, who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age as he states, That he has always been reputed & believed in his neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, & that we concur, in that Opinion, & we further Certify that no doubts to our knowledge have ever existed upon the subject.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written.
Joseph Bell Dennis Hodge

Rockbridge County } State of Virginia }
In this 1 st day of July 1833. person- ally appeared before me Joseph Steele a justice of the Peace for the County of said, John Fra- zier, as President in said County, and an applicant for a Pension under the late act. & hereupon, who being first duly sworn according to law, oaths on his oath make the following amendments to his declaration for a Pension — In his De- claration he mentioned that he served 4 Four of Three months each. Two only of each These Four were during the Revolutionary War — And for these Two Sums of Three months each he claims a Pension — Namely for the Second Tour mentioned in his declaration, in which he marched to Portsmouth. This Service was performed he believes in 1781. having marched the 10 th Jan. The Second Tour he served during the Revolution, is the last Tour mentioned in his declaration, which took place this appli- cant believes in 1776. He states that he served in all during the Revolutionary War six months and for this time he claims a Pension. He has no record of his age except in his memo- ry — He now lives in Augusta & Rockbridge Counties, Virginia when called into Service he has lived in said County of Rockbridge since the Revo- lution, where he now lives. He states that when he served during the Revolution, he went both times, from said County of Rockbridge. He was drafted during both Tours — He never received a commission —
John Grayson

Sworn to and subscribed before me Joseph Steele a justice of the Peace for said County, this 12 th day of July. 1833. —
Joseph Steele

No 21997. John Frazier Opn
Return do. Samuel private 6 mo $120
Samuel M. P. Reid clk Rockbridge County Va

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
13. May 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Frazier Rockbridge Co. Va
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Craft 1774 3 Priv Capt Mathews None Pa Aged 77 Testimonial   Jun 10 3 " " Buchann Col Goy Skirmish Va Augusta   Craft 3 " " McCay   " 3  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Service in 1774 was prior to the Revolution & cannot be admitted

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Over Castor Exam-g Clerk

March 20, 1931
Hon. Hugh Ike Shott Room 164, House Office Building Washington, D. C.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB aw
My dear Mr. Shott:
Reference is made to your letter of March 18, requesting the Revolutionary War records of three soldiers, which are furnished herewith.
JOHN FRAZER OR FRAZIER, S. 17964
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 17964, that John Frazer or Frazier was born February 15, 1755, near Christian Creek, Augusta County, Virginia.
While residing in Augusta County, he served in 1774 three months under General  Captain George Matthews against the Indians on Greenbrier River.
While residing in Calf Pastures, Rockbridge County, Virginia, he served three months in Captain Mc Coy's company, and three months under Lieutenant Campbell; both of these tours were against the Indians; no dates of these services given. He enlisted January 10, 1781 and served three months in Captain James Buchanan's company, Colonel John Bowyer's Virginia regiment, and was in several skirmishes.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
There are no data as to his family.
*****

P
17964
INVALID.
File No. 17,964
John Hrazier
Pre Civil War
Act: June 7" 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1931-Mch. 20 - Hirsch & HM Hugh one shot  one

Rockbridge County } State of Virginia }
On this 13 th day of September 1833. personally appeared before me John L. Crenshaw a pastor of the Presby for the County aforesaid John Kerr, a Presbyterian Clergyman, who be- ing first duly sworn, deposeth that he is a resi- dent in the neighborhood of John Frazier, an applicant for a Pension under the late act of Congress, and a Resident in the s d County of Rock bridge — that he believes him to be seventy eight years of age — that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and to have served as he states and that he concurs in that opinion — He further deposes that no doubts to his knowledge, have ever existed as to s d Applicant's service.
I do further certify that the above named John Kerr is a Presbyterian Clergyman, regularly ordained — Given under my hand this 13 th day of September 1833. The intima- tion above the 10 th line above was made in the presence of this deponent —
John L. Crenshaw s d

State of Virginia Rockbridge county ss
I Samuel McD Reid Clerk of the county court of said county do hereby certify that Joseph Steele, Robert Sterrett and John Hearnthers Gentlemen whose signatures appear to the annexed affidavits relating to the pension claim of John Frazier, now are and were at the dates thereof acting Justices of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that all their official acts are entitled to full faith and credit —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my official Seal and subscribed my name this 25 th day of January 1834, and in the 58 th year of the Commonwealth.
Sam McD Reid Clk

This day James H. H. came before me Robert Stewart a Justice of the peace for Rockbridge county and made oath that in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one he was drafted, and that John Fraizer was also drafted we served under captain James Buckhannan and was attached to Colonel John Bowers Regem ent and that the s d John Fraizer started in company with my self about the 1 st of January or near that time and returned near the last of April in the same year. This Force was told the Portsmouth Force near Norfolk, we were in several Skirmishes but now General engagement, s d H. also says he believes that they served three Months exclusive of the time going and returning which he believes was near three Hundred miles home. s d H. further saith not given under my hand this 11 th day of August 1883
Robert Stewart

HUGH IKE SHOTT
5TH WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT
COMMITTEES:
MINES AND MINING CIVIL SERVICE ACCOUNTS
OFFICE:
ROOM 164, HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
Congress of the United States House of Representatives
C. J. FARRINGTON SECRETARY MISS ELIZABETH BOND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Washington, D. C.
March 18, 1931
E. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Morgan:
Will you please furnish me copies of the pension papers or at least advise me what records you have of pension claims for the following Revolutionary War veterans:
John Frazier of Rockbridge County, Va. 1835, Pen. 2, 193
✓Jacob St. John of Charlotte County, Va. 1835, Pen. 2, 126
✓Lewis St. John of Frederick County, Va. 1835, Pen. 2, 60.
I have a request from one of my constituents that these records be furnished her as promptly as possible and I will greatly appreciate your courtesy.
Yours very truly,
Hugh Ike Shott
HUGH IKE SHOTT, M. C.
HIS/EB